The World Celebrates Halloween, While we "Undas" in Pinas

By: OC Staff, October 31 2018

Source: Cebu Daily News

The last day of October, known worldwide as Halloween, gives you trills and screams. From horror movies, series, horror booths, trick or treating and partying, kids and adults alike will sure enjoy it.

In Cebu, many establishments and retail shops have set up horror booths. Cinemas have started playing horror movies (Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis, anyone?) And of course, there is the religious aspect to it because Halloween is celebrated right before All Saints’ Day (celebrated on the first of November) and All Souls’ Day (celebrated every the 2nd of November). In the Philippines, we refer to these two holidays as “Undas”.

How do Pinoys spend the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?

Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

All Saints Day’s is a day to celebrate all the Catholic saints that were canonized by the Vatican. Masses are normally heard on this day. It is also the day when cemeteries would start cramming up in preparation for the November 2, All Souls’ Day.

On All Souls’ Day, families remember their loved ones. This is quite similar to the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday where they celebrate the dead. Dia de los Muertos is also celebrated on November 2. Coco, the 2017 Pixar film was set during the Dia de los Muertos.

The Filipino version of the Dia de los Muertos is more subdued and sombre. People visit the graves of their dead loved ones. They clean up the tombstones, and apply fresh paint. Unwanted weeds are also pulled out.

People light candles and place flowers on their loved ones’ graves too.